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New Core 24 Graduation Requirements

Core 24 is a new Washington state Board of Education mandate around the 24 credits each child needs for high school graduation. The State Board’s vision is of an educational system that prepares all students for college, career and life. In Washington, high school students must meet credit and testing requirements. In support of this vision, the State Board worked to create a 24-credit framework designed to be both rigorous and flexible. The 24 credits will be required for the class of 2021 and beyond.

For more information, including the 24 Credit Career– and College-Ready Graduation Requirements, please check out the State Board of Education’s website: www.sbe.wa.gov.

High School Scheduling Advisory Committee

Purpose and Goals

In 2014, the Washington State Legislature passed E2SSB 6552, a law which directed the State Board of Education to implement the 24-credit graduation requirement for the Class of 2021 and beyond. Previously, our district requirement has been 23 credits. In addition to the increase in credits required to graduate, other emerging needs make this an opportune time to review the high school daily schedule and determine if an alternative schedule might provide greater flexibility for meeting the diverse needs of students and, ultimately, ensuring they are prepared for career, college and citizenship.

The MSD High School Schedule Advisory Committee (HSSAC) is comprised of Marysville School District students, parents, building staff members and district administrators. Work began February 9th, and the goal is to examine high school schedule options that may better meet the changing needs of Marysville School District high school students.

Committee Charge

The charge of the group is to explore possible changes to our current six-period daily bell schedule at all of our high schools. The committee, comprised of high school students, parents and staff, will consider research, investigate various schedule options in use at other high schools, gather feedback from stakeholders, and provide a recommendation to the superintendent that includes potential costs and a possible timeline for implementation. The charge of the group is to study the high school daily schedule to accommodate programming related to:

College and career readiness

Core 24 credit requirements

Equal access for all students

Rich elective opportunities

Enrichment for students

Interventions for students

Room for error should a course be failed

Student/teacher collaboration

Project-based learning utilizing our one to one technology initiative

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the District considering a change to the high school schedule?

The implementation of Washington State Law (E2SSB 6552), now requires that high school students earn 24 credits to graduate starting with the class of 2021 and beyond. As a result of this increase from 23 credits to 24 credits, the current six period day at Marysville School District high schools may no longer meet the needs of all students. Therefore, a variety of student schedule options, that will allow more credit-earning opportunities and flexibility, are being studied to address this change in graduation requirements.

What is the charge of the high school schedule advisory committee (HSSAC)?

The HSSAC is charged to study the high school daily schedule to accommodate programming related to the following: new Core 24 requirements (E2SSB 6552), college and career readiness, equal access for all students, Interventions for struggling students, Opportunities for advisory, Student/teacher collaboration, Technology Project-Based Learning (PBL) and opportunities to reduce student stress. Recommendations must include financial considerations and a timeline for implementation.

Who is on the schedule advisory committee?

The HSSAC includes approximately 25 Marysville School District High School students, parents, teachers, and administrators.

When did the MSD HSSAC begin this work and how often will they meet?

The HSSAC will begin February 9th, and will meet nine times this school year. Additional meetings will be scheduled as needed.

What is the timeline for a recommendation on a new student schedule?

The MSD HSSAC is working to present a recommendation to the Superintendent in June of 2017.

When might Marysville high schools change to a new schedule?

The timeline for implementation will depend on the HSSAC’s recommendation. For example, a small adjustment to the daily schedule might be more easily implemented. However, a more significant schedule change, such as moving to a 90-minute block schedule would require more time to implement, since many staff would need significant professional development and time to adjust curricula accordingly. Most likely, implementation of a new schedule would begin fall of 2018-19.

Is it possible that a new scheduled will result in a longer school day?

Currently the MSD HSSAC is working under the premise that the length of school day will remain unchanged.

Will school start and/or end times change?

Currently the MSD HSSAC is working under the premise that start and/or end times will remain unchanged.

Will changing the type of schedule potentially increase graduation requirements for students?

Yes. High schools that have changed to 7 period schedules, 8 period schedules or 5 period trimester schedules typically have found it necessary to make adjustments to best meet student needs.

What is the decision-making process?

Once the MSD HSSAC develops a preliminary recommendation (via a consensus model,) the committee recommendation will be presented to the superintendent.

What are some of the schedule options being considered?

6 period day with variations

Traditional 7 period day schedule

7 period day with alternating block schedule

8 period block – 4 x 4 by semester

8 period block – 4 x 8 alternating days

5 period trimesters

How were these options selected?

All of these options are being used successfully in schools in Washington State. The MSD HSSAC will research these options extensively and interview other schools that are using these schedules to determine which will be the best option to meet the needs of the Marysville School District students.

Will a new schedule affect class size?

Depending on the schedule chosen, small changes in class sizes may occur.

Could a new schedule result in increased planning time for teachers?

Yes. Currently, teachers have approximately 55 minutes per day of planning time. Some of the schedules under consideration could alter this considerably. If the increase is substantial, some of the time might be utilized to support interventions, for departmental collaboration, or to support other building identified needs.

Will teachers be given support to adjust to a new schedule?

Yes. The District will support teachers and counselors by providing planning and professional development to ensure the new schedule is implemented successfully.

Will the new schedule include advisories?

Possibly. Any schedule option recommended may include some form of “advisory” program. The frequency and model for the advisory program is still to be determined.

Will there be more opportunities for students and parents to provide feedback into the process?

Yes. The District will host a Parent and Student Information Night, date and time TBD. Additional opportunities for input will likely occur after the first the year.

Committee Members

District Staff

Lori Knudson – Executive Director

Ray Houser – Executive Director

Melissa VanZanten – Director

Donneta Oremus – Director

Building Staff

Stephanie Clark – Principal

Shelly Lacy – Principal

Dave Rose – Associate Principal

Deann Anguiano – Assistant Principal

Christine Milnor – College and Career Counselor

Rik Morris – Counselor

Wendy Willie – Counselor

Katherine Jordan –Teacher

Ronda Konen - Teacher

Dr. Anthony Craig – Director

Stephanie Zikopoulos – Director

Doug Tuckman – TOSA

Nancy Smith – TOSA

Emily Lefstad – Teacher

Tracy Seiber – Teacher

John Natterstad – Teacher

Mark Bond – Teacher

Will Hill – Teacher

Taya Schweizer – Teacher

Josh Roehl – Teacher

Joseph Klomparens – Teacher

Parents, students and community members

Randi Miller - Parent

Beth Ha - Parent

Lesley McAuliffe - Parent

Pegi Langan - Parent

Madi McAuliffe - Student

Randy Davis – Marysville Education Association President

Additional Resources

The High School Schedule Advisory Committee (HSSAC), comprised of both district and building staff, along with parents, students and community members met for the first time on February 9th to review the purpose, charge and goal. After review of the ppt presentation they began the process of looking at the pro’s and con’s of scheduling and reviewing the master scheduling by grade level.